Gloves for mountain hiking rarely involve just one model. It’s about having the right glove for the right occasion, but mainly it’s about thinner options during the summer. But remember, if a summit tour is on the agenda, you might need to pack warm gloves as well. Keep an eye on the weather! This distinction is more important than most people realize when packing their backpack.
What the mountains actually demand from a glove
A hiking day in the mountains can start with above-zero temperatures and sunshine in the valley and end with wind chill and wet snow at the ridge. Not because the weather is unusual, but because it’s normal, especially in the early part of summer. This is exactly what makes choosing gloves both difficult and important at the same time.
During active hiking with a backpack, you generate heat. Your hands sweat. A glove that’s too insulated causes sticky, damp hands that then freeze quickly when you stop to navigate. A glove that’s too thin works well uphill but isn’t enough when the wind picks up at the ridge.
The solution is rarely a compromise glove. It’s a system: an active glove for hiking and a warm backup in the side pocket for breaks, summit tours, and unexpected weather.
Tjuonavagge, grip and feel
We named it after Lapporten. The U-shaped valley profile between Nissuntjårro and Tjuonatjåkka, one of the most photographed places in Sweden, and a place that in many ways sums up what we build for: sharp conditions, beautiful terrain, and weather that can change quickly.
Tjuonavagge is a 3-season glove made of goatskin. It’s designed for active use — hiking, climbing, navigation — where you need finger sensitivity and grip against the terrain. Goatskin softens with use and adapts to your hand. It gets better the more you use it.
It’s not made for standing still in extreme cold. It’s made to be worn when you’re moving, and thanks to its reinforcements in the palm, it lasts extra long.
Storbäck, when your fingers need to work
Storbäck is a leather glove with a different character. More flexible, thinner, even more sensitive to the surface. It naturally suits activities where your fingers need to work.
The leather develops a patina over time and wear and looks better the more it’s used. It’s a glove for those who prefer to buy once and take care of it, rather than replacing a pair of synthetic gloves every season.
Summit tours, when the cold demands more
If you want to reach the summit early in the morning, in winter, or on days when the north wind really presses, neither Tjuonavagge nor Storbäck alone will suffice.
When standing still in sharp cold, waiting for your turn up or sitting and eating lunch in the wind at 1400 meters, it’s the insulation volume and waterproofness that determine how the experience ends. That’s exactly what Arvidsjaur Mitts are built for.
Outer shell in canvas weave and goatskin. Hermetic polyurethane membrane, 100% waterproof against rain showers and wet snow. Check out our glove called Arvidsjaur Mitts
What should you consider when choosing gloves for the mountains?
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Plan for breaks, not just movement. Your body generates heat during hiking. Expect your hands to get cold quickly when you stop — and choose accordingly, not just based on how it feels when you lift your backpack.
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Always have a backup glove. A thin active glove plus a warm backup in the side pocket is a better system than a single pair that has to handle everything. It weighs little, takes up little space, and makes a big difference if the weather changes.
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Goatskin tolerates moisture better than most think. Goatskin is naturally denser than cowhide and withstands short exposure to rain and slush. Waxed regularly, it lasts significantly longer and keeps out more moisture.
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Waterproofness isn’t just for winter. Wet snow in May and rain in September can be as demanding as winter cold. A waterproof glove with a membrane is relevant all season, not just when the thermometer is below zero.
- Think about grip and feel. On technical terrain, you need to feel what you’re holding. Thick insulated gloves perform poorly when precision is required. Choose a thinner, more flexible model for active hiking and save the thick one for breaks.
Frequently asked questions about gloves for hiking and mountains
Which gloves are suitable for mountain hiking in summer?
In summer, a thin leather or goatskin glove like Tjuonavagge or Storbäck is often enough. They protect against wind and provide grip without getting too warm during active movement. Feel free to bring a warmer pair as backup if you plan overnight stays or exposed ridges.
Do you need waterproof gloves for hiking?
Not always — but often. Wet snow early and late in the season, rain, and fog mean moisture resistance matters even outside winter. Goatskin with regular waxing handles short moisture exposure well. For longer exposure or summit tours in sharp cold, a membrane like in Arvidsjaur Mitts is the safer choice.
Can you use the same gloves for hiking and skiing?
You can, but the compromise shows. Ski gloves are often designed to fit securely on a ski pole and withstand repetitive pressure against snow. Hiking requires more finger mobility and better grip on gear and terrain. Tjuonavagge works in both contexts — Arvidsjaur Mitts are better for standing still in cold on lifts or ridges.
How do you care for goatskin gloves after a day in the mountains?
Let them dry in a ventilated space — never directly on a radiator or near an open fire. When the leather starts to look dry, apply leather grease. The canvas fabric on Arvidsjaur Mitts can be re-waterproofed easily with a warm hairdryer that melts the existing beeswax and seals the surface again.
The right gloves don’t make the mountains easier. But they let you stay out longer, keep your focus on the terrain, and avoid thinking about your hands — and that’s exactly what they’re meant to do.
See Tjuonavagge — 3-season glove for hiking →
See Arvidsjaur Mitts — for summit tours and sharp cold →
Unsure which pair suits your trip? Read the buying guide or contact us directly.
